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I have had the best luck with the black or brown "gummy worm" type plugs that come in a plugging kit at almost any auto parts store. I like the kind labeled for belted radial tires because they are resistant to cutting if a tire has a steel belt. Get the kit with T handles if you can, and if you have room to carry them because they are easier to use than the kits with tools with screwdriver type handles.

Paul Glaves - "Big Bend", Texas U.S.A
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." - Bertrand Russellhttp://web.bigbend.net/~glaves/

I have had the best luck with the black or brown "gummy worm" type plugs that come in a plugging kit at almost any auto parts store. I like the kind labeled for belted radial tires because they are resistant to cutting if a tire has a steel belt. Get the kit with T handles if you can, and if you have room to carry them because they are easier to use than the kits with tools with screwdriver type handles.

I have had the best luck with the black or brown "gummy worm" type plugs that come in a plugging kit at almost any auto parts store. I like the kind labeled for belted radial tires because they are resistant to cutting if a tire has a steel belt. Get the kit with T handles if you can, and if you have room to carry them because they are easier to use than the kits with tools with screwdriver type handles.

Everything Paul said - seconded - motion passed.

The Tee-handles give you so much more torque when reaming the hole (necessary to prep for the string plug) and the proper application of the repair itself.

My kit also includes a little bottle of White-Out (mark the hole once you find it - in the dark, you may not find it again once the intruding object has been removed, a needle-nose pliers to pull out the offender, and some rubber cement (Vulcanizing Glue even better, but hard to find) to lather up the worm-plug before insertion.

Then a sharp knife (not razor blade - too small - will probably end up cutting yourself before you finally trim off excess plug material!) and all you're left to do is inflate.

For that, I use a Cycle Pump 12v compressor, with in-line gauge -several other good brands on the market.

Practice this all a couple of times the next time you switch tires (keep one of the old ones and drill "nail holes" into it) and you'll possess the confidence you will hopefully never have to use.

And remember - a plug is to get you home, where you replace the tire as soon as possible. Your life and the life of any passenger is riding on your decision to spend what it takes to put uncompromised rubber back beneath you!

I carry and do as Kevin notes and PG stated - it works. T handles, same pump. chalk, pliers, etc. I use compact needle nose bought at HF and always have both an angle and straight pair in the tool set. Practice doing plugs matters and it is worthwhile to take the time to get good at it. Of course, if you have tubes you'd better get good at patches and tire irons...

Only possible exceptions are that I won't even consider plugging a really big hole or using multiple plugs in a hole and only rarely would I replace a plugged tire with a new one. Reasons are several but boil down to the the fact I've never had a plug fail even when doing dubious stuff like plugging a race tire, (a desperation move for sure) and that a failed plug on a small puncture will only produce a slow flat anyway- for which my experience says I'll have no trouble executing a safe stop- have had plenty of slow flats over the years with no issues. But I rarely ride 2 up and don't need to convince anyone to do as I do. Your own safety and judgement first so if you're going to worry about a plug failure, get a new tire- they're cheap enough...

My kit also includes a little bottle of White-Out (mark the hole once you find it - in the dark.........

As long as we're throwing out some tips, on the bottle of white-out........pull the filler cap out and drop a couple of BB's in so you can agitate (mix up) the white-out back to a usable product after it sits. OM

"I bought a ticket to the circus, I don't know why I was so surprised to see elephants" Norris Church MailerMod Squad
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200

Correction. . .

Uh, Paul, those aren't called "gummy worms" -- proper name is Gorilla Snot. When you gain more experience, you'll pick up more of the correct terminology, and will be able to communicate better. . . heck, you might even learn to do some wrenching, here and there!

Great seeing you guys at Sipapu, and glad to hear that you're on the mend.

Uh, Paul, those aren't called "gummy worms" -- proper name is Gorilla Snot. When you gain more experience, you'll pick up more of the correct terminology, and will be able to communicate better. . . heck, you might even learn to do some wrenching, here and there!

Great seeing you guys at Sipapu, and glad to hear that you're on the mend.

Walking Eagle

I'm going to quit using my left handed hammer and monkey wrench. I got a flyer from Harbor Freight and they have some wrenches and stuff called sockets or something fer real cheap. They even got a grinder you can plug in and hold in your hand instead of being bolted to the shelf in the shed. It was more exciting than my old Monkey Wards catalog. They even have colored duck tape. I can't but hardly wait till my order gets here so I can take something apart. Wheee!

Paul Glaves - "Big Bend", Texas U.S.A
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." - Bertrand Russellhttp://web.bigbend.net/~glaves/

You could of course get more adventurous and "update" your navigation gear. HF sells a cute little brass sextant that might be just the thing for when the gps is dead. That with an accurate watch and ephemeris and you're good to go anywhere- no more map updates needed.......